This means there will be no Russian government sanctioned hunting of polar bears for any reason in Russia (one of only five countries with polar bear populations - the others being Canada, USA, Norway and Greenland).

Polar bears need our help. Climate change is destroying their ice habitat at an extraordinary rate. Some experts have predicted that polar bear populations may decline by two-thirds by 2050.

In the face of such a drastic threat we can and must do everything we can to save them. And stopping the legally sanctioned hunting of polar bears is one thing that is completely in our power.

I salute my country and its leadership for once again making me proud. If we can now persuade others to follow the Russian example - we may just be able to save this remarkable animal.